I want to get into reloading and have bought the hornady 2-volume reloading manual. I readthrough all the hoe to sections and am now ready to buy a relaoder. I am looking to spend between $300-400 on the whole setup. I will not necessarily be reloading a high volume of rounds, but want the capability. I also want a reloader that will accomodate long magnum and 45-70 cartridges.

I got a Rockchucker kit from RCBS when I started.
Then all a guy needs is primers, powder, brass, dies, and bullets.

I eventually replaced the:
1) case lube and lube pad
2) priming system
3) case trimmer
4) "Speer 12" load book

But I still really like the:
1) Rockchucker single stage press
2) the scale

And I have not got around to replacing the funnel.

What do you use for trimming and priming?

Ther RCBS Rockchucker Master Kit and the RCBS Accessory Kit...should cost you well below your $$$ limit, if you shop right.

I bought my Rockchucker kit about ten years ago and don't regret it. I've added a bunch of other "stuff" since then, but I still use the press, scale, and case trimmer. I like my Hodgdon manual (for the data), but I think the Lyman is a great manual for the beginner. I like the Lee Autoprime for primer duty, and use Lyman hand tools for case prep. I've got several different brands of dies, but really like Hornady and RCBS. Lee works, but you can get good stuff for just a bit more; though I can't complain about any of the ammo I've loaded with my Lee dies.

Anvil63,

Welcome to the club!

Ditto on the Rockchucker Master Reloading Kit. It has a great press and everything you'll need to start handloading, except for the reloading dies (I recommend Redding). You can pick it up for around $250 or less on sale. In addition to the kit, a good caliper is a must. You can pick one up for $30-65. As for manuals, the kit comes with a Speer manual, but you'll want to pick up as many other manuals as money allows, starting with the bullet maker of your choice. Eventually, you'll want to pick up some additional goodies.

I prefer to use the Lee AutoPrime for installing primers by hand. Unlike using a press for priming, it gives a good feel. It runs less than $15. I also prefer Imperial Sizing Die Wax rather than the RCBS lube tray and lube that comes with the kit. A tin of it lasts forever.

The longer you handload, the more goodies you'll want to pick up. You'll wind up replacing your RCBS case trimmer with a Wilson Case Trimmer and Case Holder. A primer pocket uniforming tool and flash hole deburrer are something you'll eventually want to buy for new brass, and you only need to use them once for the life of the case. They are only about $12 each. Down the road, you'll buy an electronic dispenser and scales, a tumbler, a concentricity gauge, Bushing neck sizing dies for each cartridge, universal decapping die, stuck case remover, etc. There's no end to the list.

Wow sounds great. Being able to buy little things in the hobby is way easier to sneak by the lady friend (who thinks I should be saving up for a ring) than a new rifle.

The Rockchucker kit is probably the best way to get started. I agree with SST on the Redding dies. After you get started there will nver be a time when there isn't at least one more gadget you will need. Have Fun and be safe.

I agree the Rockcrusher kit. It is great to start wioth and I still use mine.

Hcliff

i agree concerning the rcbs press, would have bought one but found a bonanza co-ax press on sale and after 10 years couldn't reccomend any thing else. but i am somewhat mechanically challenged and the co-ax makes up the difference. a scale, i prefer hornadys, rcbs or lyman check weights, lee case trimmer, caliper(i have dillons), loading blocks, 2 manuals, lyman is coming out with the 48th ed., dies, i prefer forster, will get you started. after starting you will find you need lots of things and learn what brands you prefer.

Anvil:

ROCKCHUCKER! Just like all the other guys say, they do a great package.

RCBS also backs up what they sell. Recommended one to a friend and his had been opened at the store and re taped up. The set was missing the powder trickler, the Speer Manual and part of the case trimmer set up. The store would not back it up. I recommended he call RCBS and they mailed out everything he was missing.

I have had a couple of dies I also screwed up thru carelessness. Sent them in to RCBS and they just replaced them, no questions asked.

I prefer Redding Dies and Lee Dies, but I also use mainly RCBS. Just because these guys back up everything they sell, and a lot better than Redding. I have had to send a few things to Lee, but they backed it up quite well also.

I cast anougher vote for RCBS, as their customer service is great!!
One thing...I would skip the RCBS dies, and advance to go, so to speak, and just buy the Forester Bench Rest dies.
They will work with the RCBS press, and are much better quality.
I have found the RCBS stuff to be really good though, and as you can see, almost to the man, everybody agrees on this one.Which getting anybody on Accurate Reloading to agree on anything is rare..LOL
For the advanced reloading skills you need to aquire, like hiding credit card reciepts from wife, having friends buy stuff for you and paying them, ect. Just ask for me.....sakofan..

I agree on the Rock Chucker.

I also like the RCBS Trim Pro much better than the first trimmer I bought (Forster).

The RCBS trimmer uses a spring-loaded shell holder to hold the case head against a fixed plate. The fixed plate controls the squareness of the cut. The length of the case is adjusted by moving the cutter relative to the fixed plate. One push on the lever releases the spring loaded shell holder, and you switch to the next case.

The Forster trimmer uses a detestable stepped collet with little steps in it to hold the case head. You have to push like hell to try and get the case head squarely into the collet, and then twist the collet, and sometimes the case halfway squirts out of the crappy collet .

I suspect that many cases trimmed on Forster's device were never held square relative to the cutter. Be that as it may, the worst thing about the Forster is the ergonomics of attempting to make things square. I shudder at the thought of trying to tighten their stupid collet on a 303 British case head.

One nice accessory to add to a Rock Chucker (can't do this with Lee presses) is Hornady's Lock-N-Load bushings. It's about $10 for the adapter sleeve and $3 apiece for the bushings. If you've got the Hornady manual, you've got pictures of these.

H. C.